Officials: Small plane crash in Maine kills 2

July 17, 2010 5:22:06 PM PDT

SOUTH PORTLAND, ME --

Officials say two people have died in a small plane crash near the Portland International Jetport in Maine. Portland city spokesman Nicole Clegg said the noncommercial plane went down about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, a short distance from the runway of the airport and a few blocks from the busy Maine Mall in South Portland.

Officials did not identify the victims of the crash. They said they were investigating the cause.

Officials described the plane as a YAK-52, a Russian-made plane introduced in the 1970s for aeronautic training.

The plane crashed on Western Avenue, a normally busy road lined with strip malls, retail outlets and convenience stores. No other injuries were reported.

Witnesses said shortly after taking off, the plane made a sharp turn and began its descent.